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Giving the iPad a run for its money
By Anick Jesdanun |
November 18, 2012, Sunday
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WHEN I first turned on Google's new tablet computer, I immediately thought of it as a mere conduit to Google services.
For as well as giving you quick access to Gmail and YouTube, the Nexus 10 steers you to digital movies, books and other content available for sale through Google's online Play store.
Because of that, I wasn't thinking of the Nexus 10 as an alternative to Apple's general-purpose iPad - even with a price tag that's US$100 cheaper, starting at US$399. It took more thought and time with the Nexus to change that perception. After all, apps available for Android smart phones work on the tablet as well.
Still, the Nexus really shines when it comes to media - especially content bought through Google.
For the past year, Google has been trying to challenge Apple and Amazon by selling digital content.
The Play store is Google's version of iTunes for Apple devices. There, you can get a variety of apps, some free and some for a small fee. You can buy or rent movies and obtain books, magazines and music. Google isn't satisfied with building search engines and selling ads. It wants a bigger role in the digital economy.
Over the summer, Google came out with a 17.5-centimeter tablet called the Nexus 7. Just as Apple is making an iPad Mini that's about the size of the Nexus 7, Google is now selling a larger version of the Nexus, about the size of Apple's regular iPad. It starts shipping this week.
On the Nexus 10, icons at the bottom of the screen emphasize Google's media products available through Play. Click on a picture of film to watch movies, headphones to listen to music and a book to, well, read books. Another icon gets you to the Play store to obtain more content and apps.
The Nexus has a rubberized back and fits more snuggly on my lap than the metal-backed iPad. In my hands, I don't feel as if the Nexus would slip out and crash on to the hard floor, as I continually do with the iPad.
There are front-facing speakers going up and down both sides of the Nexus, compared with just one tucked in a corner on the back of an iPad. You feel more immersed watching video with sound coming right at you from the entire device.
The screen measures 25.6 centimeters diagonally, which is more than the iPad's 24.6 centimeters. But the screen isn't any larger because while it's about an inch wider in horizontal mode, it's also about a half-inch less in height. This works well for widescreen content, which completely fills the screen. On the iPad, the latest movies and TV shows often have black bars, no matter how you hold the tablet. In some cases with the iPad, you might see the sides of video cut off to fit the space.
What makes the tablet's shape good for movies makes it less-than-ideal for magazines, though. There's wasted space on the top and the bottom for magazines on the Nexus.
As for books, text on the Nexus screen comes out sharp. News sites and apps also look nice. The Nexus has a screen resolution of 300 pixels per inches, slightly better than the 264 ppi for the latest full-size iPad.
True, there are other tablets designed as media players, too. Amazon.com Inc's Kindle Fire and Barnes and Noble Inc's Nook HD come to mind, and both have larger versions out this month. But neither has the diversity of apps available for the Nexus and other full-fledge Android devices.
So what does that mean?
Apps on my Samsung Galaxy S III smart phone automatically appear on the Nexus 10 after signing in with the same Google account.
Three of my apps aren't compatible for unknown reasons. But those I use most often - Facebook, Instagram, Foursquare - all work on the Nexus.
Not all apps have been adapted for the tablet's larger screen, but they take advantage of the entire screen, nonetheless, thanks to the way Android lets software programmers build their apps in modules. All the content gets blown up and still looks decent.
Apple's store has a far wider selection of apps, though.
The Nexus comes with the latest version of the Android operating system, version 4.2. It introduces a new feature for sharing tablets, the way family members can share Windows and Mac computers while keeping personalized settings.
The Nexus is a tad lighter, while the iPad promises longer battery life and has an option for cellular broadband. Neither has a slot to expand memory with SD cards. Both have two cameras - 5 megapixels on the back, and a lower-resolution one on the front for video conferencing.
The iPad remains king among tablets, but challengers such as Google offer choice. The Nexus 10 is a good option if you already have an Android phone and use a lot of Google services.
That's especially true if you also watch a lot of movies and TV shows, but don't want to be limited to that.
For as well as giving you quick access to Gmail and YouTube, the Nexus 10 steers you to digital movies, books and other content available for sale through Google's online Play store.
Because of that, I wasn't thinking of the Nexus 10 as an alternative to Apple's general-purpose iPad - even with a price tag that's US$100 cheaper, starting at US$399. It took more thought and time with the Nexus to change that perception. After all, apps available for Android smart phones work on the tablet as well.
Still, the Nexus really shines when it comes to media - especially content bought through Google.
For the past year, Google has been trying to challenge Apple and Amazon by selling digital content.
The Play store is Google's version of iTunes for Apple devices. There, you can get a variety of apps, some free and some for a small fee. You can buy or rent movies and obtain books, magazines and music. Google isn't satisfied with building search engines and selling ads. It wants a bigger role in the digital economy.
Over the summer, Google came out with a 17.5-centimeter tablet called the Nexus 7. Just as Apple is making an iPad Mini that's about the size of the Nexus 7, Google is now selling a larger version of the Nexus, about the size of Apple's regular iPad. It starts shipping this week.
On the Nexus 10, icons at the bottom of the screen emphasize Google's media products available through Play. Click on a picture of film to watch movies, headphones to listen to music and a book to, well, read books. Another icon gets you to the Play store to obtain more content and apps.
The Nexus has a rubberized back and fits more snuggly on my lap than the metal-backed iPad. In my hands, I don't feel as if the Nexus would slip out and crash on to the hard floor, as I continually do with the iPad.
There are front-facing speakers going up and down both sides of the Nexus, compared with just one tucked in a corner on the back of an iPad. You feel more immersed watching video with sound coming right at you from the entire device.
The screen measures 25.6 centimeters diagonally, which is more than the iPad's 24.6 centimeters. But the screen isn't any larger because while it's about an inch wider in horizontal mode, it's also about a half-inch less in height. This works well for widescreen content, which completely fills the screen. On the iPad, the latest movies and TV shows often have black bars, no matter how you hold the tablet. In some cases with the iPad, you might see the sides of video cut off to fit the space.
What makes the tablet's shape good for movies makes it less-than-ideal for magazines, though. There's wasted space on the top and the bottom for magazines on the Nexus.
As for books, text on the Nexus screen comes out sharp. News sites and apps also look nice. The Nexus has a screen resolution of 300 pixels per inches, slightly better than the 264 ppi for the latest full-size iPad.
True, there are other tablets designed as media players, too. Amazon.com Inc's Kindle Fire and Barnes and Noble Inc's Nook HD come to mind, and both have larger versions out this month. But neither has the diversity of apps available for the Nexus and other full-fledge Android devices.
So what does that mean?
Apps on my Samsung Galaxy S III smart phone automatically appear on the Nexus 10 after signing in with the same Google account.
Three of my apps aren't compatible for unknown reasons. But those I use most often - Facebook, Instagram, Foursquare - all work on the Nexus.
Not all apps have been adapted for the tablet's larger screen, but they take advantage of the entire screen, nonetheless, thanks to the way Android lets software programmers build their apps in modules. All the content gets blown up and still looks decent.
Apple's store has a far wider selection of apps, though.
The Nexus comes with the latest version of the Android operating system, version 4.2. It introduces a new feature for sharing tablets, the way family members can share Windows and Mac computers while keeping personalized settings.
The Nexus is a tad lighter, while the iPad promises longer battery life and has an option for cellular broadband. Neither has a slot to expand memory with SD cards. Both have two cameras - 5 megapixels on the back, and a lower-resolution one on the front for video conferencing.
The iPad remains king among tablets, but challengers such as Google offer choice. The Nexus 10 is a good option if you already have an Android phone and use a lot of Google services.
That's especially true if you also watch a lot of movies and TV shows, but don't want to be limited to that.
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